Plenary Reports

EPP TV Plenary Reports

The European Parliament debated the French President’s future-minded EU reform ideas with the EPP Group calling for greater security for Europeans. Parliament approved legislation to intensify efforts in cracking down on terrorist financing through money-laundering and organised crime. MEPs approved a Resolution calling for an independent probe into the murder of an investigative journalist and his partner in February, the second such killing in the EU in six months. And MEPs debated what action to take in the wake of the Facebook scandal in which the firm Cambridge Analytica accessed millions of users’ data for political intelligence purposes.

Plenary Reports

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There was a change of leadership in the European Parliament this session in Strasbourg. The EPP Group candidate Antonio Tajani was elected European Parliament President for the 2017-2019 period.

"We cannot shut ourselves in an ivory tower in Brussels", said Tajani, arguing why he was the best man for the job. Breaking with recent practice, he vowed to be a non-partisan voice in Parliament.

16.01.2017 - 19.01.2017

EPP Group candidate elected European Parliament President

"A true pro-European, Antonio Tajani has dedicated his political career to Europe. He will be a strong and a reliable partner for the whole Parliament. We warmly congratulate Antonio Tajani on this result and we thank all the MEPs who cast their vote for him", said Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, following the announcement of the election results.

Antonio Tajani (63) has been a Member of the European Parliament since 1994. He was Vice-President of the European Commission from 2008 until 2014, first as Commissioner for Transport (2008-10), then as Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship (2010-14). He became the First Vice-President of the European Parliament in 2014 and has been Vice-President of the European People's Party since 2002.

"Antonio Tajani's election shows that the EPP Group is the stable anchor of the European Parliament and the force with whom partnerships can be built. The EPP Group guarantees the stability of this House. We are the bridge-builders in the European Parliament and we will continue doing so to bring results for European citizens", added Manfred Weber.

16.01.2017 - 19.01.2017

Strong team for Parliament’s leadership

After the election of Antonio Tajani as President of the European Parliament, the EPP Group's candidates for Vice-Presidents were also elected, with Mairead McGuinness topping the poll as First Vice-President. Completing the list of Vice-Presidents are Ildiko Gáll-Pelcz, Ramon Luis Valcárcel Siso and Rainer Wieland.

Their election in the first round of voting was a tremendous result, building on Tajani's success the previous day.

During the election for Quaestors, the EPP Group's Andrey Kovatchev and Elisabeth Morin-Chartier renewed their mandates after a big vote of confidence from their peers.

16.01.2017 - 19.01.2017

EPP and ALDE Groups form pro-European coalition

The EPP and ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) Groups have formed a pro-European coalition to reform Europe. The coalition invites other Groups to join.

EPP Group leader Manfred Weber MEP said: "The EPP Group has always been pushing for an approach that is based on partnership - we remain true to that principle and will continue to deliver.

We want to act together to bring results for European citizens and guarantee Europe's stability. Our partnership is based on content and on reforms for Europe. It is a pact for results.

We invite all pro-European forces to join our partnership."

The cooperation with ALDE and ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) in the election of Antonio Tajani has signalled a new direction for this House, one that is based on partnership, inclusion and the strengthening of political Groups and MEPs as elected representatives of European citizens.